State to Honor Businesses as Exceptional Employers

The state of Florida is recognizing seven businesses for being exceptional employers of people with disabilities. The annual celebration will be held at Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams Street, as part of recognizing October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Blind Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation will help present the Exceptional Employer Awards that honor businesses for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities.

The award-winning businesses are:

Baptist Health South Florida (Miami)

Habitat for Humanity (Pasco County)

Mangrove Mike’s Café (Islamorada)

Miller’s Ale House (Daytona Beach)

Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Sirata Beach Resort and Conference Center (St. Pete)

Universal Orlando Resort

Governor Rick Scott said, “Employment is one of my top priorities as most people know, and that includes people with disabilities. I am happy to see so many businesses that are inclusive of all individuals in their company’s workforce. There is always an opportunity to be more inclusive. I hope additional companies will follow suit and be open to considering all people who can compete for a position.”

APD Director Barbara Palmer said, “I am excited to be able to recognize these Florida companies who give people of all abilities a chance at employment. These business leaders confirm what we have known for years that individuals with disabilities provide a great return on their investment. These employees are dedicated to their employers and wouldn’t dream of missing work because their job means so much to them.” Sonic restaurant employee Stacy Powell, who has a disability, will speak at the event about what having a job means to him.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org or call toll-free 1‑866‑APD‑CARES (1‑866‑273‑2273).